Clippers cover Lakers’ banners for home games at Staples Center
The Lakers display 12 championship banners (including one to recognize the team’s five championships won in Minneapolis), 10 retired jerseys (including one to honor the late Chick Hearn) and one special banner to honor six from the Minneapolis era (including coach John Kundla) in the rafters at Staples Center.
None of that history will be visible when the Clippers play at the arena as the home team.
Making their exhibition debut for the 2013-14 season, seven oversized Clippers banners hide every bit of the Lakers’ storied history.
From left to right, banners of Jamal Crawford, Blake Griffin, J.J. Redick, DeAndre Jordan, Jared Dudley, Chris Paul and Matt Barnes overlook the arena.
At last check, the Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West and Hearn statues remain unfettered outside of Staples Center.
On paper, the Clippers should win the Pacific Division this season by finishing well ahead of the Lakers.
The Clippers have a shot to win their first championship this season. Until then, the players’ banners will have to do.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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